Self-styled false abuse expert arrested

The man is charged with domestic violence by the Sheriff's Office after his wife calls 911.

By S.I. ROSENBAUM, Times Staff Writer
Published January 30, 2008

TAMPA - A Riverview man who has built a career as an expert on "false child abuse accusations" has been charged with domestic violence and tampering with a witness to avoid prosecution.

Dean Bryan Tong, 51, of 10246 Hunter's Haven Blvd., was accused of grabbing his wife's arm and slamming her foot in the bedroom door during an argument on Jan. 21, according to an arrest affidavit filed by sheriff's deputies.

He then allegedly took her telephone as she tried to call 911 and told her he would "ruin her" if she called police, the affidavit states.

She suffered bruises on her arm and leg, and identified Tong as the person who injured her, deputies said.

Tong was arrested Monday, and released from the Hillsborough County Jail on $1,000 bail on Tuesday.

He has appeared on talk shows, offered his services as a legal consultant and expert witness, and written books with titles such as Elusive Innocence and Don't Blame Me, Daddy!

Contacted by telephone Tuesday night, Tong declined to comment and referred questions to his attorney.

On his Web site, www.abuse-excuse.com, Tong writes that he was accused of sexually abusing his then-preschool-age daughter during a contentious divorce; the charges were later dropped, he writes.

"Having seen the seedy underbelly of divorce law, Dean Tong decided to work to reform the system that tore his life apart," the Web site says.

The Web site also has a list of "tips" for those accused of abuse.

"First, retain expert legal counsel," the list begins.

In his related blog, Tong said he is putting the "finishing touches" on a memoir, to be titled Justice Held Hostage: The Dean Tong Story.